A LEGACY FUND worth #2m will ensure the Ryder Cup leaves a far greater imprint on Wales than just the three-day match - however big - which takes place at Newport's Celtic Manor in 2010.

The fund was launched yesterday at Llangefni Municipal Golf Course on Anglesey by sports minister Alun Pugh. The vast sum of money will be available for local authorities and others in Wales to access over the next six years to develop public golfing facilities across Wales with the aim of encouraging people of all ages to play the game.

The Legacy Fund was an integral part of the successful 2010 Ryder Cup bid. It is intended to help ensure that the benefits of hosting this prestigious event will be felt throughout Wales for a long time before and after Tiger Woods and co descend on the nation in five years' time.

Pugh said, "A key part of the current London Olympic bid is the legacy it will leave for future generations.

"It is exactly the same for Wales and the 2010 Ryder Cup. Indeed, we are ahead of the game here with the launch of the Legacy Fund and the on-going work by Golf Development Wales to increase participation.

"It also reflects the aims, set out in our strategy - Climbing Higher - to get more people in Wales taking part in sport and physical activity.

"Greater access to reasonably priced, public golf courses will widen the appeal of the game further and maybe help us discover some Welsh champions of the future."

Local authorities were urged to take advantage of the generous fund by Graham Davies, director of national development services at the Sports Council for Wales, one of the partners behind the successful Ryder Cup bid.

He said, "Provision for golf in Wales is good with more than 200 courses at 185 locations.

"But, despite this considerable growth over the last few years, the main difference between Wales and other major golfing countries is still the lack of low-cost public facilities.

"Clearly this influences the economic profile of those who play and makes it difficult for the non-player, especially youngsters, to start. We hope that local authorities will seize this opportunity and establish facilities that will encourage both young and old to take up golf."

Ryder Cup Wales chairman John Jermine added, "Wales is a strong golfing nation, but to retain that position it is vital that we invest in making the game more accessible for everybody.

"The Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund is a big step towards achieving this aim and is a clear indication of the commitment that has been made to ensure that there are long-term benefits to the whole of Wales from hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup."

Both the European Tour and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) back the fund and were represented at the launch at Llangefni's municipal golf course, which is a shining example of the type of facility the Legacy Fund is aimed at encouraging.

Its appeal was outlined by Aled Roberts, head of service, leisure and communities at Isle of Anglesey County Council.

"We are very proud of Llangefni's municipal golf course," said Roberts. "It was designed primarily for novice players, but is also regularly used by more seasoned golfers.

"Ensuring that local people have access to affordable sporting facilities is a key priority for us.

"I hope that other local authorities will see the fantastic opportunity that this fund is and take advantage of it to increase the number of public golf facilities across Wales."